Nakshatras in Vedic Astrology

The Ancient Sages divided the zodiac(apart from twelve signs) into 27 Nakshatras or constellations of 13.20 degrees each. A Nakshatra is also called as lunar mansion or constellation. Its reference is found in the ancient Vedic scriptures. As per the Hindu mythology, all the twenty seven Nakshatras are the daughters of king Daksha and Moon is married to all of them and the Moon spends approximately one day each in one constellation and thus lunar month is of approximately of 27 days equal to the numbers of Nakshatras.

Nakshatras are classified as per several attributes like its owner, deity, sex, caste, species etc. The Nakshatra, in which one's Moon is placed at the time of birth, is called Janma Nakshatra or the birth star. These Nakshatras are further subdivided into four quarters known as Pada, each spanning 3.20 degrees, know as Navamsa. The placement of planets in these padas or subdivisions is studied for finer predictions. Each zodiac sign covers nine Padas in total. Thus we can see that Nakshatras are used for various purposes and one of its major uses is to determine starting point of a dasha or planetary period or cycles that divide the time in major periods and sub periods and to choosing a muhurtha or auspicious time for any important activity.

As per with their qualities, the 27 constellations are divided into following categories and are favorable muhurtha for:

Sthira or Fixed,

Chara or Movable,

Ugra or Fierce,

Kshipra or Swift,

Mridu or Tender,

Tikshna or sharp,

Misra or Mixed

The Sthira or Fixed nakshatras are Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, and Uttara Bhadrapada. These constellations are favorable for any work of fixed, stability and long term purpose like planting trees, purchasing property, laying the foundations for buildings, construction of home, factory etc. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on Sunday.

The Chara or Movable nakshatras are Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishtha, and Shatabhisha. These constellations are favorable for buying automobiles, vehicles, gardening, going on journey and travel. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on Monday.

The Ugra or Fierce nakshatras are Bharani, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha, and Purva Bhadrapada. These constellations are favorable for destructive deeds such as demolishing any structure, setting fires, making imprisonment and works that require force, weapons and confronting enemies. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on Tuesday.

The Kshipra or Swift nakshatras are Ashwini, Pushya and Hasta. These constellations are favorable for trade and commercial transactions, admission in school or college, using medicine, taking or giving loans, journey and travel. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on Thursday.

The Mridu or Tender nakshatras are Mrigashira, Chitra, Anuradha, and Revati. These constellations are favorable for making new friends and enjoyment of pleasures, romance, dance, drama, fashionable clothes, writing of poetry. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on Friday.

The Tikshna or Sharp nakshatras are Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, and Mula. These constellations are favorable for filing for a divorce, black magic, casting spells, exorcism, punishment, hypnotism, evoking of spirits, goblins, demons etc. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on Saturday.

The Misra or mixed nakshatras are Krittika and Vishakha. These constellations are favorable for activities like worshiping, fire ceremonies, purchasing furniture and electronics. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on Wednesday.